OT: Going to Miami

Submitted by Magnus on

I don't usually make OT posts, but I'm in the midst of scheduling a 4-day vacation to Miami.

If anybody lives in Miami or has visited before, do you have any suggestions of hotels, restaurants, things to see, etc.?  Obviously, I plan to spend a lot of time on the beach, so it's not like I need an action-packed four days.  But if there's anywhere particularly awesome to visit, I'd appreciate a heads up so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks in advance.

Stephen Y

January 22nd, 2011 at 1:15 PM ^

I stayed at the FontaineBleau when I went in May.  A little pricey, but worth it if you ask me.  If you're going to do it, you gotta do it right.  It's got a few bars and restaurants inside, along with LIV, the nightclub all those UNC football players got in trouble for going to.  Saw a ton of celebrities too.

James Burrill Angell

January 22nd, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^

I lived on the Beach when I went to law school.

I'd suggest one of two things. If you're younger (physically or mentally) and want to be in the heart of South Beach and walking distance, try the Loews which is where Ocean Drive ends. If you want to be on the Beach, have a nicer hotel but be slightly removed from South Beach proper, try the Eden Roc or Fountainbleu which were both recently redone and are stil about 20 to 25 blocks from South Beach proper but are on the beach, have much nicer pools, slightly less busy beaches and better restaurants in the hotel

JaySoul

January 22nd, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^

I agree.. Loews, Gansevoort, or the W are some of the new properties right on Ocean. They also have a nice Marriott at the beginning of the strip, I think its like 2nd and Ocean? Right on the beach, and kind of in the "quiet'er" part of the blvd of nonstop action. Fontaine and Eden are both nice, but they are a nice drive (or terrible drive in traffic) away from the true South Beach

wingedsig

January 22nd, 2011 at 12:32 PM ^

I love Miami, but only South/North Beach. The actual city can be fun in the right places (Little Havana) but it can also be dangerous- thus not fun.

Go to Lincoln Rd. for sure. It's a closed-street-made-pedestrian-mall that is a lot of fun. There are a lot of shops, art galleries, restaurants and other random things. For food, I definitely recommend Nexxt. It's like a 10x better version of Cheesecake Factory with an even larger menu. Go to The Frieze for dessert. They have really freshly made sorbets and ice creams. The sorbets basically taste like you're eating a frozen more-delicious version of the actual fruit.

Otherwise, try out Bayside, that's a cool place. And if you're into basketball try to get tickets to a Heat game. Heat fan or not, the AAA is a classy arena and a good time (plus, go to Bongo's- great food and drinks right next to the AAA).

Obviously walk down the strip and check out the famous hotels and go clubbing at night. That's what South Beach/Miami is all about isn't it?

JaySoul

January 22nd, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^

If you plan on staying on South Beach, check the hotels out through and through because they have alot of boutique hotels aka OLD hotels with a new coat of paint and room as big as your closet! Trust me though every other place serves 2 for 1 drinks and over priced italian food.

Jasper

January 22nd, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^

In no particular order (with no assumptions about what you'll have available):

* If you've never done so, go watch jai alai somewhere.  IIRC the matches are generally rigged, but the food is cheap and the sport itself is entertaining.

* South Beach (obviously)

* Nature-oriented?  http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm  It's really not that far away.  The contrast between it and the metro area will be jarring.

* You don't have much time, but I'll mention it anyway: The drive to Key West is pretty cool and the town itself is interesting as well.

BlueTimesTwo

January 22nd, 2011 at 12:43 PM ^

On a related note, I will be in Coral Gables for a conference next month.  After I stop by to nut punch Golden, any suggestions for things to do in or around Coral Gables?

Benoit Balls

January 22nd, 2011 at 12:43 PM ^

go to Red, the steakhouse. As a bonus, its part owned by Charles Oakley, and lots of current and former NBA players hang out there while they are in town. I know this because a friend from high school is a manager there and he has all kinds of great stories.

On a side note, if you see LeBron there, can you kick him in the nutsack for me? Thanks!